Relay for Life helps mark American Cancer Society's 100th birthday

Wednesday

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM

On Friday, June 21, 2013, more than 300 walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of White County gets under way. Teams will gather at Carmi-White County High School at 6 p.m. June 21 and participants will be helping the Society mark a major milestone in the fight against cancer.

Special to The Times

On Friday, June 21, 2013, more than 300 walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of White County gets under way. Teams will gather at Carmi-White County High School at 6 p.m. June 21 and participants will be helping the Society mark a major milestone in the fight against cancer.

"On May 22, the American Cancer Society celebrated 100 years of saving lives from cancer and creating a world with more birthdays," says Barb Walters, one of the organizers of the local event. "It's the progress we've made together, as a community, as volunteers, as survivors and as leaders, that has helped us reach this incredible milestone with tremendous success. By lending your support to the White County Relay event this year, you'll be lending your support to the Society's efforts to finish the fight and bring an end to cancer as we know it."

During Relay For Life events, participants camp out overnight at a local school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relay events take place overnight, lasting up to 24 hours in length.

Survivor registration will begin at 5 p.m. All cancer survivors are welcome to come register at the event, receive a free T-shirt and enjoy refreshments. Food will be available to purchase and entertainment will begin at 5 p.m.

A lot of new and exciting acts have joined the schedule of events this year. Individuals and families are welcome to join walkers at Relay. The opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. and the Luminaria Ceremony will begin at 9 p.m.

One of the most touching moments during a Relay For Life event is the Luminaria Ceremony which takes place after sundown, honoring the community's cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease. Participants will circle a track that is surrounded with glowing luminaria that bears the name of someone who has battled cancer. Luminaria may be purchased for $10 by calling (618) 998-9898 or by visiting relayforlife.org/whiteil.

Also a part of White County's Relay For Life event is the Fight Back Ceremony, in which a community leader will inspire Relay participants with his or her own commitment and will challenge them to take a personal pledge of action (e.g., stop smoking, eat more healthily, exercise regularly, etc.) in fighting back.

Funds raised at Relay For Life of White County help the American Cancer Society get even closer to bringing an end to cancer as we know it. To learn more about Relay For Life, call (800) 227-2345 or visit RelayForLife.org.

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks to the progress, nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As the organization marks its 100th birthday in 2013, they are determined to finish the fight against cancer. The organization is assisting with finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more.

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